Broadband connections up, but broadband stimulus efforts can reach more households

Rarely a day goes by in DC without a panel discussion, new report or legislative hearing on the importance of broadband. Yesterday, the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project released a lengthy survey on Home Broadband Adoption. Not only does the study delve into the importance of Internet in the everyday lives of Americans, but it also shows a noteworthy rise in broadband usage over the last year.

The study notes that now, “63% of adult Americans now have broadband internet connections at home, a 15% increases from a year earlier.” That is up from 54 percent in 2007. In addition, Pew’s study also looked at specific populations, like seniors, rural Americans and lower income households. Some key statistics from the report include...